Permutation lock



Jan. 10, 1928. s. NlCHIN PERMUTATION LOCK F iled -Dec. 31. 192 4 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jab. 10, 1928.

S'. NICHIN PERMUTATION LOCK 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec.

Jan. 10; 1928.

s. NICHIN PERMUTATION 'LOCK Filed Dec. 31. 1924 s Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 10, 1928.

. 1 UNITED STATES STEPHEN 'NICHIN, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PERKUTATION LOCK.

Application filed December 31, 1924. Serial No. 758,999.

This invention relates to permutation locks.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is especially well adapted for use in connection with the doors of dwellings and apartment houses, and in any other situations in which such a device would be useful, the device including permutation operating means disposed upon the outer side of the door, the arrangement being such that the bolt of such lock is normally urged to retracted position, so that when the permutation tumblers of the lock are moved into registering position the bolt it automatically retracted, a reverse movement of the tumbler operating means again projecting the bolt to locked position. i 7 Another object of the invention is to pro- -vide an arrangement whereby upon rotation of the tumblers a ratcheting eifect is provided so that it is impossible to ascertain the point of registation of the tumblers for causing retraction of the bolt by means of.

the senses of hearing and touch.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the permutation tumblers and operating means may be entirely disconnected from operative engagement with the bolt, when in locked position, so that such bolt cannot be retracted from the outside of the door by the operation of the permutation means.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device in which the bolt may be retracted at all times by the operation of devices on the inside of the door while the door is locked by the permutation means from the outside.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of this character, means for arranging the parts in such position that the bolt is projected so as to secure the door, and which may be retracted either from the inside or outside of the door in the manner of an ordinary latch, the parts in this position rendering it impossible to lock the bolt.

Another object of the invention is to connect ordinary door knobs to the permutation means on the outer side of the door, and on the inner ,side of the door, whereby such knobs may be rotated in certain positions of the parts to retract or project the bolt.

Other and further objects of. the invention will more fully and clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a fragment of a door jamb and door as viewed from the outer side thereof, showing the dial member and the operating indicators which cooperate therewith to position the tumblers. Figure 2 is a longitudinal, transverse, .sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1, showing the operative parts of the lock in elevation and showing both the projected position of the bolt and locking member in full lines and the retracted position of the locking member in dotted lines. Figure 3 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view through the lock casing showing the normal locked position of the parts. Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure 3 showing the bolt arranged in position to be operated as an ordinary latch, with the projected position of said bolt being indicated in full lines and the retracted position in dotted lines. Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 3, showing the parts in position when the bolt is entirely free from the permutation means. Figure 6' is a sectional view of the invention upon the line 5-5 of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a slightly different embodiment of the invention, in which the bolt is projected. Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, showing the bolt retracted. Figure 9 is a view of the permutation tumbler and operative means showing the manner of adjustably connecting said members together. Figure 10 is an enlarged detail view of the tumblers and tumbler'operating members, showing the manner in which the same are assembled, and Figure 11 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the cam service used in connection with the invention.

The invention broadly comprises a slidable bolt A carrying a locking member B arranged to cooperate with a plurality of permutation tumblers C, which tumblers are arranged to be positioned to permit retraction of the bolt by means of operating elements D; a cam device E cooperating with the locking member B to control the position of the bolt, a knob F for operating the cam E, and an operating bar H arranged in certain positions to cooperate with the locking member 13 to project or retract the bolt A.

In the drawings, 10 denotes the fragment of a door jamb having the usual rabbet or stop strip 11, and 12 represents a fragment of a door arranged to cooperate with the jamb 10. Such jamb is provided with a recess 13 in the usual manner to provide for the reception of the end of the bolt, and a keeper 14 having an opening 15 corresponding to the recess'l3 is secured in position by means of screws 15.

The lock proper comprises a suitable case ing 16 which is disposed in a suitable recess 17 provided in the edge of the door in the ordinary manner, the side walls 18 of the door surrounding-the recess being provided with an opening 20 communicating with the outer side of the door, such recess being for the purpose of receiving certain portions of the lock'as will hereinafter appear. The inner wall 18 is also providedwith a slot 21 adjacent the edge of the door as shown, this slot being for the reception of a movable operating member which will be hero inafter referred to. A plate is disposed over the'slot 21, being secured in position by suitable screws 23, such plate. having a slot 24 communicating with the slot 21, as shown.

Slidably mounted in the casing 16 is the bolt A, such bolt having an extension 25 to which is connected a spring 26 the opposite end of the spring 26 being connected to a bracket- 27 secured at the rear of the casing 16. Such bolt is provided with a portion 26 arranged to engage the keeper 15 when the same is projected. Such bolt is preferably provided with a portion 27 which is channel-shaped in cross-section for a portion of its length in the rear of the portion 26, the channel sides 28 of the portion 27 being reduced as indicated at 29, and merging into the end' portion 30-of such bolt, which is preferably in the form of a flatplate having a slot 31 therein arranged to slidably engage a portion of the tumblers C as will now be described.-

The permutation tumblers C and the operating elements D have portions which extend through the recess 20 in the wall 18 of the door 12 for mounting the parts in position As shown in the drawings, a securing member 32 is disposed in the opening 20, and provided with inner and outer spaced flanges 33 and 34, the flange 33 being arranged to be secured. to the casing 16 of the look by rivets or other suitable securing means. opening 20, is disposed on the outer face of the door 12, such dial being secured to the flange 34 of the member 32 by removable screws 38, such screws being interchangeable so that the dial may be secured in any suitable angular position with respect to the flange 34 which, of course, is held in stationary position, thus allowing for a change in the combination whendesired, as will hereinafter be referred to.

' I The tumblers C are preferably three in number, indicated by numerals 39. 40 and 41.

The tumbler 39 is preferably in the form-of A dial 37, larger than the r a disk provided with a cylindrical boss 42, which is provided with longitudinally spaced fingers 43, preferably corresponding in number to the positions indicated on the dial member 37. The boss 42 of the disk 39 is adapted'to cooperate with a similar cylindrical boss 44 formed on the operating disk 45, the boss 44 being of substantially the same diameter as the boss 42 and being provided-with. fingers 46 adapted to fit between the fingers 43 on the boss 39,, the arrangement being such as to prevent rotation-between the disks 45 and 39 but at the same time permitting relative adjustment therebetween by disconnection of the bosses 42 and 44 and re-engagement of the same in different positions soas to vary the combination of movements necessary to position the tumblers. The permutation disk 40 is also provided with a cylindrical boss 47, to cosuch manner as to hold all the disks 45, 49

and 51 against removal from the dial 3?, it being noted that the disks in this position cover the screws 38 so that they may not be retracted by an unauthorized person The inner end 53 of the shaft 52 is preferably threaded for the reception of a lock nut 54, which is screwed against the inner face of the disk 39, as shown, thus holding all of the protein position. The shaft52 at its end 53 is provided with the operating bar H, such bar being spaced from the disk 39, a certain definite distance as shown, so that when the bolt Ais retracted the bar will be in position to engage the locking member B in a. manner which will more fully appear hereinafter. The disk 51 is provided with an upstanding finger piece 59, and the disk 49 is provided with a finger piece 60 which is preferably turned outwardly over the finger piece 59 and then inwardly leaving a. space for the clearance of the finger piece 59 with referenece to the finger piece 60. The disk 45' is also provided with a finger piece 61 adapted to fit over the finger pieces 59'and 60, as shown, the arrangementbeing such that the disks 45, 51 and 49 may be operated either simultaneously or indepen- .dently as desired.

Each of the disks G has its edge provided with a plurality of spaced shallow notches 62. The disk 39 also hasa slot 63 in'its lSO edge, best shown in Figs, 2, 3 and 8, extending inwardly from the periphery a suitable distance, the bottom of such notch being beveled or inclined inwardly as indicated at 64. The disk 40 is also piovided with a notch 65 having its bottom inclined or beveled inwardly in line with the bevel 64 of the notch 63, the notch 65, of course, being shallower than the notch 63. 'The disk 41 is also provided with a notch 67 in its edge, the bottom of said notch being inclined as shown at 68 in line with the inclined portions of the other notches. a

The locking member B ispivotally secured to the side walls 28 of the locking bolt 27 by means of a pivot-pin 69, as shown. The portion of such locking member immediately in advance of the pivot pin 69 is 111- clined inwardly as shown at 70, the ex- 0 tremity 71 of such member being flat and provided on its outer side with a cam surface 72 as shown, and'disposedbetween the inner surface of the extremity 71 of the locking member and'a portion of the locking bolt 5 27 is a coiled expansion spring 7 3, normally pressing the adjacent end of the locking member outwardly. The inner end 74 of the locking member is provided with a centrally disposed rib 75 arranged to normally engage against the edges of the disks 39, 4O and ll and such portion is also provided with a stop 76 which nomally bears upon the edge of the outer disk 39 toprevent the rib 75 from dropping into the slot 63 when such 5 slot passes the rib. The portion 7 4 is also provided with an extension 77 which has a hooked portion 78 extending inwardly of the lock, the rear face 79 of such hooked portion being in the form of a cam, the hooked portion 77 normally being disposed at one side of the disks 39, and 41 as shown in Figure 2, this hooked portion in certain posit-ions of the parts being arranged to coop crate with the operating bar Has will be hereinafter described.

The cam member E is mounted upon a suitable support 80, which is connected to the side flange of the bolt A as shown in Figure 4, such support. including an overhanging ear 81. Pivotally mountedon the outer side of the ear 81 is the cam member E, such member being secured to a shaft 82, such shaft extending through the ear 81 and being pivotally secured thereto. The outer end of the shaft 82 projects outwardly through the slot 24 and has the knob F secured thereto. The cam member E includes a bar having a relatively short end portion 83, such end portion having secured at one side there- 'of a cam 84 having a rounded engaging face. The opposite end 85 of the bar is of greater length than the end 83 of such cam member as shown. The ends 83 and 85 of the cam member arehadapted in certain positions of the parts to abut against a lever 86, such lever being pivoted at 87, the end 88 thereof being limited in its movement by an abutment 89 formed on the casing 16.

In operation, assuming the bolt to be projected as shown in Figure 2, and that the slot-s 63, and 67 are out of alinement, it will, of course, be impossible to retract the bolt, since the locking member B is held by the spring 73 in abutment with the edges of the disks 39, 10 and 41. Upon operation of the handles 59, 60 and 61 of the operating disks C in a predetermined fashion relative to the dial 37, so as to bring the slots 63, 65, and 67 into alinement, it will be apparent that due to the pull of the spring 26 upon the bolt, the rib 75 engaging upon the inclined bottom portions of such slots, will accomplish the automatic retraction of the bolt. In this position, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2, the cam portion 79 of the hooked portion 78 is then in line with the bar H. Upon clockwise rotation of the bar H by the disks C, such bar will engage the cam face 79 of the hooked portion 78, and the bolt will be again projected and due to the action of the spring 73 the locking member B will be moved behind the edges of the disks 39, 40 and 41. In this position of the parts, due to the pull of the spring 26 upon the bolt, the notches 62 will ratchet over the rib 7 5 setting up a clicking noise so that an unauthorized person cannot determine by sound when the slots in the tumblers are in registered relation if he is not in possession of the combination of numbers necessary to cause registration of said slots.

When the long end 85 of the cam member E is turned through the medium of the knob F so as to engage the lever 86, as shown in Figure 5, the locking member B through the medium of the camming action of the short end 83 of the cam member E on the portion 71 of such member, is depressed, moving the -rib 7 5 free of engagement with the edges of the disks 39, 10 and 41, so that the bolt cannot be retracted by the operation of the permutation means, since such means is entirely free of the bolt, and the bolt is held in projected position by the engagement of the cam member E against the lever 86, the spring 90 which controls such lever, of course, being of greater strength than the spring 26. It is also apparent that in this position the bolt ma be retracted by manipulation of the knob from the inside of the door to turn the cam member so as to engage the cam 84 with the portion 71 of the locking member so as to depress the same to cause the inner end of the locking member to clear the edges of the tumblers C.

When the cam member E is turned into the position illustrated in Figure 4, that is, with the short end 83 of the locking member in engagement with the lever 86. it will be evident that the locking member B is laterally, moved to one side of the disks 39, 4.0 and 41, so that the hooked portion 78 is in line with the bar H, andvthe bolt is still suffiwill also be evident that the bolt cannot be I projected into fully locked position because of the abutment of the long end of the cam member E against the front wall of the easingl6. Upon turning the cam member 1n an anti-clockw1se direction, the bar H being in line Witlrthe'cam surface 7 9 of the -locking:member B, rotation of such bar will again'project the bolt into fully locked position, necessitating operation ofthe permutation means from the outside ofthe door or the manipulation of theknob F from the inside of the door as above referred to.

Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings show a slightly different embodiment of the invention in that operating knobs may be associated with lock. As shown a knob 100 may be utilized, without interference with the finger pieces 101, which are exactly similar to finger pieces 59, 60, and 61, heretofore referred to, the reduced portion'102 .of such knob extending through the bosses on the tumblers C and operating disks D. .Such knob has the shaft 103 secured directly thereto, which extends through the casing and is secured tothe knob 104: by pin105.r

'a bolt which is freely operable independently -of said tumblers; independent means for The other elements of the invention as illus trated are identical with those before referred to, and no additional explanation is thought to be necessary, the same reference characters being utilized to designate parts similar to those heretofore described with reference to Figsrl to 5 and 9 to 11. The operation is identical to-that before described, except that it should be notedthat the bar H may be operated from the inside of the door by the knob 104, as well as by the operating disks C and knob 100 on the outside of the door, the permutation features of the lock operating in-the'manner above referred to. V i

lVhile I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred manner i of carrying out my invention, the same is merely illustrative and Iv comptemplate all changes and modifications thatcome within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

WVhat I claim is:

1. In a permutation lock, the combination with a door; of a locking bolt; permutation means including tumblers arranged in certain positions to hold said bolt projected;

. means for operating said tumblers to permit retraction of said bolt; meansfor disconnecting sald permutation means from sald elements D, the

bolt to provide a bolt which is operable independently of said tumblers; and means for. operating said bolt freely from the inner and outer sides of said door when said bolt is disconnected from said tumblers. V

2. In permutation lock, the combination with'a lockin bolt; of permutation means .'ncluding tumblers arranged in certain positions to hold said bolt projected; means for operating the said tumblers to permit retraction of said bolt; means for disconnecting said permutation means from said bolt to provide a-bolt which isfreely operableindependently of said tumblers; and means operable from= the inner side of said door for projecting and retracting said bolt -When disconnected from said permutation means.

3. In a permutation lock, the combination with .alocking bolt; of permutation means including tumblers arranged in certain positions to hold said bolt projected; means for operating, said tumblers to permit retraction of saidbolt; means'for disconnecting. said permutation means from said bolt to provide a bolt which is freely operable independently of said tumblers; and independent means for holding the bolt projected free of said permutation means.

4;. In a permutation lock, the combination with a locking bolt; of permutation means including tumblers arranged in certain posiof said bolt; means for disconnecting said permutation means from said bolt to provide said bolt to projected position; permutation means arranged in certain positions to cooperate With said bolt; means on the outer side of said door for operating said permutation means; means connected with said permutation means for retracting said bolt;

and means carried by said bolt for holding said bolt against projection to locked engagement with said permutation means.

6. In a permutation lock, the combination with a door; of a locking bolt; means urging said bolt to projected position; permutation -means arranged in certain positions to cooperate with said bolt; means on the outer side of said door for operating said permu- -tation means; means connected with said permutation means for retracting said bolt;

means for holding said bolt against projection tolocked engagement with said permutation means, said latter means; being movable to inoperative position; and means operable from the inner and outer sides of tions to hold said bolt projected; means for i-operating said tumblers to permit retraction lation with said tumblers and rendering the same operable in both directions independently of said tumblers. ;5

8. In a permutation lock,..the-combination with a. bolt; oi tumblers arranged in certain positions to hold said bolt projected; means for automatically retracting said bolt while said tumblers are arranged in unlocked position; and means for disconnecting said bolt from said permutation means, said means being arranged to lock said bolt'in projected position.

9. In a permutation lock, the combination with a bolt; of tumblers arranged in certain positions to hold said bolt projected; means for automatically retracting said bolt when said tumblers are arranged in unlocked position; means for moving said bolt out of en'- gagement with said tumblers; means forholding said bolt-partially projected; and.

means associated 'with' said tumblers and "ace tuated thereby t o retractsaid bolt.

positions to hold said bolt projected, said tumblers being provided with registering slots, the bottoms of which are arranged at an angle; means normally urging said bolt to'retracted position; and means associated with said bolt and adapted to engage the slots in said tumblers when the same are in alignment, wherebythe bolt is automatically retracted; 1

11. Ina permutationlock; the combination with a. bolt; of tumblers arranged in certain positions to .hold said boltlprojected, said tumblers being provided with registering slots the bottoms of which are arranged at an angle; means normally" urging said bolt to retracted position; and means associated with said bolt and adapted to engage the slots insaid tumblers when the same are in alignment, whereby the bolt is automatically retracted; and permutation means for operating said tumblers.

12. In a permutation lock, the combination with a bolt; of tumblers arrangedin certain positions to hold said bolt projected, said tumblers being provided with registering slots, the bottoms of which are arranged at an angle; means normally urging said bolt to retracted position; means associated with said bolt and adapted to engage the slots in said tumblers when the same are in alignment, whereby the bolt is automatically retracted; and means independent of said permutation means for holding said bolt in locked position out oi engagement with said permutation means.

In a permutation lock, the combination with a bolt; of tumblers arranged in certain positions to hold said bolt projected, said tumblers being provided with registering slots. the bottoms of which are arranged at an angie; means normally urging said bolt to retracted position; means associated with said bolt and adapted to engage the slots in.

said tumblers when the same are in align ment, whereby the bolt is automatically retracted; and means independent of aid permutation means for holding said bolt in locked position out of engagement with said permutation means, said means being in the form of a pivoted lever disposed in abutment with a resiliently held member.

14. In a permutation lock, the combination with a locking bolt; of tumblers; a locking member pivotally connected to said bolt and arranged to bear against said tumblers for holding the bolt in locked position; and cam means for depressing a. portion of said locking memberio move another portion of the same out of engagement with said tumblers.

15. In a permutation lock, the combination with-a locking bolt; oft tumblers; a locking member pivotally connected to said bolt and arranged to bear against said'tumblers for 10. In a permutation lock, the combination with a bolt; of tumblers arranged-in certainv holding the bolt in locked position; cam means for depressing a portion of said locking member to move another portion of the same out of engagement with said tumblers; and means independent of said locking member for holding said bolt projected.

16. In a permutation lock, the combination with a locking bolt; ot' tumblers; a locking members pivotally connected to said bolt and arranged to bear against said tumblers for holding the bolt in locked position; cam means for depressing a portion of said locking member to move another portion of the same out or engagement with said tumblers; and means for holding said bolt in different projected positions.

17 In a permutation lock, the combination with a locking bolt; of tumblers; a locking member pivotally connected to said bolt and arranged to bear against said tumblers for holding the bolt in locked position; cam means for depressing a portion of said locking member to move another portion of the same out of engagement with said tumblers; means for holding said bolt in different projected positions; and means for preventing projection of said bolt when in the positions determined by said cam means.

18. In a permutation lock, the combination with a bolt, normally urged to retracted position; of a pivoted locking member associated with said bolt; tumblers adapted to be engaged by said locking member to lock said bolt in projected position, cam means'arranged to move a portion of said locking member to disconnect the same from engagement 'with said tumblers; uneans adapted-to yieldingly hold said bolt in projecte'd position; and operative means adapt i ed to retract said bolt.

19. In a permutation lock, the combination with a bolt normally urged to retracted position; of a pivoted locking member associated with said bolt; tumblers adapted to be engaged by said locking member to lock said bolt in projected position; cam means arranged to move a portion of said locking member to di connect the same from engagement with said tumblers; means adapted to yieldingly hold said bolt in projected position; and operative means adapted to retract said bolt by movement in one direction and to project said bolt to to retract said bolt by movement in one direction and to project said bolt to fully locked position by movement in another direction when said cam means are released; and permutation means for co-operation with said bolt. 1

21. In a permutation lock, the combination with a plurality of permutation tumblers, each of which is in the form of a member provided with a cylindrical hub having a plurality of inter-engaging abutments; of co-operating members disposed exteriorly of said lock and provided with hubs having abutments adaptedto adjustably engage with the abutments on the hubs of said tumblers; a bolt having means disposed in line with said tumblers and adapted in one position to be held in locked condition by direct engagement with said tumblers; and means associated with said tumblers and said members for effecting reciprocation of said bolt.

22. In a permutation lock, the combination with a plurality of permutation tumblers, each of which is in the form of a cylindrical member having a plurality of inter-engaging abutments of co-operat ing' means disposed exteriorly of said lock and provided. with cylindrical portions having abutments adapted to adjustably engage with the abutments on said tumblers; a shaft secured to the outside of said operating members extending through the same and said tumblers, said shaft being secured at the opposite side of said look, a bolt having means adapted-to bear directly on said tumblers in one position of the parts; and means on said shaft for effecting movement of said bolt in opposite directions. v

23. In a permutation lock, the combinanotches arranged to register in certain posi-' tions, the bottoms of said notchesbeing inclined; a locking member. pivotally mounted upon said bolt and having a'portion adapted to engage said slots when aligned'to permit automatic retraction of said bolt; a cam member for engagement with said locking member to disengage the same from said tumblers, said cam member including a bar having .relatively long and short portions; a resilient lever adapted to be engaged by eitherend of said bar, a combined hook and cam member mounted on said bolt; and an operating bar movable with said tumblers and in certain positions adapted to engage said hooked portion or cam portion ing upon the direction of. movement.

25. In a permutation lock, the combination with a bolt normally urged to retracted position; of a pluralityof tumblers having notches arranged to'register in certain positions, the bottoms of said notches being in clined; a locking member pivotally mounted upon said bolt and having a portion adapted to engage said slots when aligned to-permit automatic retraction of said bolt; a cam member for the pressing of said locking member to disengage. the same fromsaid tumblers, said cam member including a bar having relatively long and short portions; a resilient lever adapted to .be engaged b either end of said bar, a combined hook and depend cam member mounted on said bolt; an

operating bar movable with said tumblers and .in certain positions adapted to engage said hooked portion or cam portion depending upon the direction of movement; and permutation operating members connected with said tumblers.

26. In a permutation lock, the combination with a door; of a locking bolt; tumblers arranged'in certain posit-ions to hold said bolt projected; means on the outer side of said door for operating said tumblers to permit retraction of said bolt; means for disconnecting said permutation means from said bolt;.independent means for holding the bolt projected from said permutation means; and means associated with said permutation means to retract said bolt after the manner of an ordinary latching bolt.

27. In a permutationlock the combination with a door; of a locking bolt; tumblers arranged in certain positions to hold said bolt projected; means on the outer side of said door for operating said tumblers to permit retraction of said bolt; means for disconnecting said permutation means from said bolt; independent means for holding the bolt projected from said permutation means; means associated with said permutation means to retract said bolt after the manner of an ordinary latching bolt; and means upon the inner side of said door for operating said latch.

28. In a permutation lock, the combination with a door; of a locking bolt; means in one position arranged to urge said bolt in a projecting direction, and in a different position being rendered inoperative; permutation means adapted to lock the bolt projected when said urging means are in inoperative position, said permutation means being clear of said bolt to permit movement thereof when said urging means are in position to urge said bolt in a projecting direction; meansvon the outer side of said door for operating said permutation means; and means movable by said permutation means for retracting said bolt when the same is clear of locking engagement with said permutation means. a

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 15th day of November, 1924.

STEPHEN NICHIN. 

